Boiler-tube cleaner.



F. w.' LINAKER.

. BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

D R 23 I APPLlCATlO 15. v 1,157,114 Patented 00t.19,1915.

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"ji /l \E N il -iai- F. w. LINAKER. BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATlON FILED APR; 23. 1915.

Patentad Oct 19,1915.

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BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

APPLlCATlON men APR.23. 1915.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

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FREDERICK W. LINAKER. OF DUBOIS, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR TO THE V'U'LCAN SO01 CLEANER 00., OF PITTSBURG, PA., OF DUBQIS, PENNSYLVANIA, ACORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

BOILER-TUBE CLEANER.

Patented ()ct. 19, 1915.

Application filed Apri123, 1915. Serial No. 23,364.

the boiler tubes and have outlets throughwhich the cleansing fluid, such as steam, air or the like, is projected in the passes between the tubes for cleaning the latter of soot or other accumulations.

The presentinvention is an improvement upon that type of cleaner shown. described and claimed in Letters Patent #1,041,14'(), granted October 5, 1912 to DeLos E. Hibner, wherein there is employed a stationary distributing pipe having nozzles provided with a plurality of discharge ports arranged-at diiierent'angles to the axis of the pipe; also upon Letters Patent #1. 0 1L1-t1 granted October 5, 1912 to James Moore,

wherein the fluid distributing pipe employed is a rotary one, and also upon Letters Patent #LOlLOSO granted October. 15, 1912 to DeLos it. Hibner and myself wherein the rotatable distributing pipe that is employed is provided with nozzles that iieX and are caused to have their discharge ends maintained on lines oblique to the axis of the dis- 'tributing pipe by means of guide plates 1n which the nozzles move during the rotation of the distributing pipe.

The patented devices above referred to have gone into extensive use and been found generally satisfactory and efiicient to accomplish the objects sought. With said prior patented devices however, some difiiculty is encountered at times, due to boiler conditions that exist, in installing the cleaner whereby there will be insured, during opera tion. a stream of cleaning fluid projected and maintained on the oblique lines or paths obtaining between the rows of boiler tubes, and the present invention has for its primary and main object, the construction of a cleaner readily adaptable to any boiler c'onditionsthat may exist to insure at all times during operation, the discharge of streams ofcleaning fluid on lines oblique to the axis of the distributing pipe between the rows of boiler tubes, and the maintaining of the correct oblique angle throughout the cleaning-operation in order that all of the tubes may be effectually cleansed, and all danger of thefluid, as steam, impinging on the tubes whereby the same could be cut or damaged is obviated.

The device is particularly adapted to boilers of the Babcock & Wilcox type though not confined to use upon this specific type of boiler, as it may readily be adapted to other types, and it embodies in its construction and. arrangement, one or more fluid distributing pipes that are rotatably mounted to revolve within stationary nozzles which have a multiple of discharge orifices arranged so as to project the cleaning fluid between the boiler tubes in such manner that the lines of streams of fluid from one nozzle intersect and cross the, lines of streamswif fluid from another nozzle, which necessarily blow on intersecting planes.

A practical embodiment of the invention as practiced is herein shown and will be described in detail, without however, confining myself to the specific construction shown or to the specific operating means shown, as these may be varied to suit conditions that may exist, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as herein claimed.

in the drawings :Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a boiler of the B. & W. type equipped with a tube cleaner in accordance with this invention, it being understood that the feed pipe, branch pipes, and the dis tributing pipe operating means shown in full lines are, in actual use, outside the boiler setting. Fig. 2 is a sectional front elevation showing one of thedistributing pipes and the manner in which the nozzles are spaced in relation to the boiler tubes. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of a practical and preferred form of operating means for rotating the distributing, pipe. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same. a part of the distributing pipe and the boiler setting being shown. Fig. is a detail perspective view of a. portion of the' distributing pipe of a preferred form of construction.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the nozzles and a part of the distributing pipe therein, the nozzle being shown in position on a boiler'tube, the latter being in transverse section. Fig. .7 is a transverse vertical sectional view of one of the nozzles and distributing pipe taken on the line VIIVII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8': is a transverse vertical sectional view through the distributing pipe on line VIHV1H of Fig. 6, showing the, nozzle in end elevation. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of a part of a distributing pipe, showing a modified form of construction. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 6 showing the employment of the modified form of distributing pipe shown in Fig. 9, with a modified form of nozzle. Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line XI-XI of Fig. 10 on a somewhat reduced scale. Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a further modified form of nozzle, capable of use with either form of distributing pipe, also on a somewhat reduced scale, and, Fig. 13 is a detail plan view of a 'furthermodified construction of cleaner for accomplishing the same result by a different disposition and arrangement of nozzles.

As the distributing pipe and its nozzles in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is identical, the description of one in detail will suffice for all.

The distributing pipe is designated 'gen erally as 18 and may be of one piece, or made in as many sections as desired, and suitably connected together as at 19 (Fig. 2).

The nozzles in the preferred form of construction now being described are designated generally by the numeral 20, and each nozzle consists of a barrel or sleeve in which the distributing pipe is rotated, each barrel or sleeve having a peripherally projecting face or faces arranged so as to project the steam down between the boiler tubes, and in such disposition or arrangement that the lines of streams of fluid from one nozzle in tersect and cross the lines of streams of fluid from another nozzle. The barrel or sleeve which constitutes the nozzle body carries de* pending, stirrup pieces 21 which straddle the boiler tubes'22 on which the nozzles rest, such stirrup pieces preventing the nozzles shifting longitudinally of the fluid distributing pipe, or from rotating, but allowing the nozzle to have, if necessary, a little vertical movement, so that the distributing pipe when revolved in the nozzles will not bind. Each nozzle face (there being two faces in the preferred form) is drilled to provide multiple orifices or ports 23, 23, these two series of ports extending in opposite directions, but both on lines oblique to the axis of the distributing pipe, as best seen in Fig. 6, so'as to accurately and definitely project the cleaning fluid into the obliquely extending spaces between the boiler tubes.

To co-acthvith the nozzles, the distributing pipe 18 has-a plurality of slots2+l, 24: in opposite sides of the pipe, and so spaced that when the distributing pipe isrevolved by a step-movement, the opening 2 1 will engage successively with the series of orifices or ports 23 and so project the fluid as required until such time as the opening 24;, when the pipe has been revolved a predetermined arc, comes into successive coincidence with the series of orifices or ports 23 in order to project the fluid on planes intersecting the planes on which such fluid was projected through the orifices 23. It may be here noted, that only at one point dothe openings 24, 24 at one time come in coincidence with the orifices 01' ports 23, 23', which point is when the distributing pipe 18 is turned to such position that the openings or ports 24. 24 are on the horizontal center line of the barrel or sleeve of the nozzle.

The revoluble distributing pipe 18 is introduced through the front wall A of the boiler setting through a sleeve 25. The inner end of this pipe is closed and is preferably anchored in the opposite wall A of the boiler setting as shown at 26, Fig. 2. The outer end of this distributing pipe is screwed into a swivel-joint connection'27 which in turn is connected to the branch pipe 17. The swivel-joint 27 has aratchet wheel 28 cast onto the body, and carries a lever-arm 29 held close to the ratchet wheel 28 by means of a collar 30. The lever-arm 29 carries a pawl 31 which engages with the teeth 32 of the ratchet-wheel 28in order to revolve the distributing pipe 18.

Fixed to the .front wall A of the boiler setting is a bracket 33 having outwardly projecting arms 3-l and between which the lever-arm 29 extends, and these arms are so spaced that the movement permitted the lever-arm between them is such that the pawl'31 moves to revolve-the distributing pipe 18 one tooth of the ratchet-wheel at a time. The teeth of the ratchet-wheel are so arranged that as the distributing pipe and swivel-joint are revolved tooth by tooth, or as it were, step by step. the opening 2% or 24: in the distributing pipe comes successively into coincidence; with the orifices or ports 23 or 23 as the case may be.

At the outer end of the lever-arm 29 is a knuckle-joint 36 held in position with bolt 37 passing through both the knuckle-joint and the lever-arm. Depending fronr this knuckle-joint is an operating handle or rod 38. 7

To operate the cleaner as above described. the supply valve 15 and shut-off valve 15* (Fig. l) are opened, as is also the control valve 17' to the individualdistributing pipe Ill - the operator,

with the next tooth of rested by the stop-arm 35.

distributing element 18 is that is to be operated,'and then by grasping the operating handle or rod 38 pulls down the lever-arm 29 until it strikes the projection or stopor element 18 .arm of the bracket 33," This has rotated the distributing pipe one tooth or step and the pipe is-usually permitted to remain in this position for a few seconds, after which the operator raises or lifts up on the opcrating rod 38 so that the pawl 31 engages the ratchet-wheel 28, whereupon the operator-pulls down upon the rod 38 until the lever-arm again is ar- In this manner, ste by step, the distributing pipe is completely revolved, so that, in turn, the steam or other fluid is projected first through all of the'nozzle orifices or ports as 23 blowing in one direction, and then through all of the nozzle orifices or ports as 23 blowing in the opposite direction.

lVith the form of construction where the arranged to revolve within the barrel or sleeve of the nozzle, it is preferable to provide the element 18 at the points where it turns in the barrels or sleeves somewhat enlarged in diameter from the body of the element as shown at.39, Fig. 6, for the purpose of providing sufficient body to the pipe to permit of trueing the same to neatly fit the barrels or sleeves, also to give more wearing body to the pipe at the points where it revolves in the barrels. or sleeves, and to provide, if necessary, sufficient wall area to permit of the employment of a suitable packing as 40 to prevent the leakage of steam or other fluid at the ends of the barrels or sleeves.

The nozzles 20 instead of being provided with multiple orifices or ports 23, 23 in the projecting face or faces thereof as in the construction just described, may be made with one continuous port or slot 23 through the face or faces as shown in the nozzle 20 illustrated in Fig. 12.

YVith this construction, it will be observed that the arrangement provides for the pro jcction of the fluid on oblique lines between the boiler tubes in a manner that the lines of streams of fluid from one nozzle intersect'and cross the lines of streams of fluid from another nozzle, which necessaril tblow on intersecting planes. Now, this same result may be acthat project the fluid down the other intersecting planes'are designated 20. This construction however, materially adds to the costofv the installation without obtaining better or more efiicient results.

"Another construction by means of which the desired and afore-described projection a series of. port openings or a slot so ar-' ranged that as the distributing pipe is moved by a step by step movement, the port openings or slot will in succession, become coincident with the nozzle orifices. As illuscomplished by using two cleaner elementsor distributing pipes, instead of one as shown in Fig. 1, for each pass of the boiler, and arranging a series of the multiple-ported or the slotted nozzles on one distributing pipe in each pass to project fluid on one plane, and arranging like nozzles on the other distributing pipe in each pass to project the fluid down intersecting planes. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 13 wherein the nozzles that project the fluid in one plane'are designated 20", and .the nozzles trated, the pipe 18 is shown as provided with two series of openings, the openings of one series being designated 40, 41, 42 and 43, and the openings of the other series designated H, 45, 46 and 1H. The nozzle 20 has port openings the same as port openings 23 or 23 and designated 40, ail, 42, 43, 44, 4 5, 46 and 47, and it will be observed that by this construction, as the distributing pipe 18 is moved longitudinally at one-stage in the cleaning operation, 44, in the distributing pipe will coincide with 44 in the nozzle; at

another stage 45 in the pipe will coincide with loin the nozzle at the next stage 46 in the pipe will coincide with 46' in the nozzle; at another stage at? and :13 in the pipe will coincide with 47 and 45 in the in the nozzle, the orifices in the pipe being so disposed as to project the fluid substantially on the same radius as do the port openings in the nozzle of port type.

It will be understood that with a construction in which the distributing pipe is moved longitudinally of its axis that provision is made to permit such longitudinal movement of the pipe, and that various means may be employed for adjusting the material, and not forming av part of the invention.

It will be plain from the foregoing description that with nozzles constructed and located as described, a cleaning fluid as steam or air issuing from each and every nozzle orifice will be projected in a plane parallel to the plane between the tubes of the boiler so that the fluid at no time during the cleaning operation strikes or impinges upon the tubes whereby they might be cut or damaged.

\Vhat I claim as new is 1. In a tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe arranged transversely of the tubes of a boiler above the same and adapted for step by step adjustment on its axis, said pipe I with which tributing pipe arranged transversely having outlet openings in its walls, and a plurality of stationary nozzles in which the pipe is adjustable, said nozzles having discharge ports with which the outlet openings in the pipe are brought into coincidence as the pipe is adjusted.

2. In aboiler tube cleaner, a fluid disof the tubes of a boiler above the same and adapted for step by step adjustment'on its axis, said pipe having outlet openings in its walls, a plurality of stationary discharge nozzles in which the pipe is adjustable, said nozzles having dischargeports with which. the outlet openings in the pipe are brought into coincidence as the pipe is adjusted, and means for adjusting said pipe.

3. In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe disposed transversely of the tubes of a boiler and having multiple outlets, stationary discharge nozzles in which said pipe is received and wherein it is adjustable, said nozzles having discharge ports the outlets in the pipe are brought into coincidence as the pipe is adjusted, a fluid supply communicating with the distributing pipe, and means for adjusting said pipe in said nozzles.

4. In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe arranged transversely of the tubes of a boiler for adjustment on its axis and provided with multiple series of outlet openings, stationary nozzles in which said pipe is adjustable, said nozzles having discharge ports so arranged that in one position of the distributing pipe one series of outlet openings in the pipe are coincident with discharge ports of the nozzle and discharge the fluid toward one side of the boiler and in another position of the pipe, another series of the openings therein coincide with different nozzle ports to discharge fluid toward the opposite side of the boiler.

In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe arranged transversely of the tubes of a boiler for adjustment on its axis and prpvided with outlet openings, and stationarynozzles in which the pipe is' adjustable having discharge orifices and arranged throughout the pipe to project fluid "from the pipe downwardly in oblique lines toward one side of the boiler in one position of the pipe and in another positionof the pipe to disposed that meant project the fluid downwardly in, oblique I lines toward the opposite side of the boiler.

6. In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe arranged transversely of the tubes of a boiler foradjustment on its axis and provided with outlet openings, stationary nozzles through which the pipe extends and in which it is adjustable, said nozzles having discharge ports disposed to pro ect the fluid downwardly in oblique lines between the boiler tubes, the nozzles being so in one position of the pipe the fluid is projected downwardly toward one side of the boiler and-in'another position of the pipe the fluid is rojected downwardly toward the opposite side of the boiler, and means for adjusting said pipe on its axis.

7. In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe arranged transversely of the tubes of a boiler for adjustment on its axis and provided with outlet openings, stationary nozzles through which the pipe extends and in which it is adjustable, said nozzles provided with discharge ports and so disposed that when certain of the pipe outlets are coincident with discharge ports in the nozzles the fluid is projected downwardly between the boiler tubes in oblique lines toward one side of the .boiler and in another position of the pipe other outlet openings thereof are coincident with nozzle ports and discharge the fluid downwardly between the boiler tubes in oblique lines toward the opposite side of the boiler.

8. In a tube cleaner for boilers; a distributing pipe arranged transversely across the tubes of a boiler above the same, said pipe adjustable on its axis and provided with fluid outlet openings, and stationary nozzles through which the pipe extends and in which it is adjustable, said nozzles having discharge ports directed to project cleansing fluid obliquely to tain of the outlet ports in the pipe when coincident with nozzle discharge ports providing a fluid-projection in one direction and other outlet ports in the pipe when coincident with nozzle discharge ports providing a fluid-projection in an opposite direction whereby the two lines of streams of fluid intersect and cross each other.

9. In a tube cleaner for boilers, a plurality of distributing pipes arranged transversely across the tubes of a boiler, and revoluble on their axes, each pipe being provided with two series of outlet openings, stationary nozzles through which the pipes extend and in which they are rotatable, each nozzle having discharge ports disposed to project cleaning fluid obliquely to the distributing pipe, said nozzles when one of said series of pipe openings is coincident the nozzle discharge ports projecting the fluid toward one side of the boiler and when the other or said series of pipe outlet openings is coincident with nozzle the distributing pipe, cermanna discharge ports projecting the-fluid toward the, opposite side of the boiler, the lines of streams in one fluid projection intersecting and crossing the lines of'streams in the other fluid projection. v

10. In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe extending transversely of the tubes of a boiler and having outlet openings, and nozzles on the pipe each provided with discharge ports disposed to project the fluid in oppositelyextending oblique paths between the boiler tubes, the lines of streams of fluid from certain discharge ports of the nozzles intersecting and crossing the lines of streams of fluid from other discharge ports of the nozzles.

11. In a boiler tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe extendingtransversely of the tubes of a boiler and having outlet openings, a fluid supply for-said pipe, and nozzles on the pipe having discharge ports, certain of said nozzles at one time discharging the fluid'in oblique lines in one direction and others of the nozzles at another time discharging the fluid in oblique lines in an 'opposite direction.

12. In a cleaner for boilers, a fluid distributing pipe adjustably mounted across the tubes of a boiler and having outlet openings, a fluid supply connected to said pipe, and stationary nozzles having discharge ports directed to project cleaning fluid along oblique lines between the boiler tubes when the distributing pipe is adjusted to bring the outlet openings thereof and the discharge ports of the nozzles into coincidence.

18. In a tube cleaner, an adjustable fluid distributing pipe, and a plurality of nozzles through which the pipe extends and in which it is axially adjustable, the pipe having outlet openings within the nozzles and the nozzles having discharge ports adapted to project the fluid among the tubes .to be cleaned when the pipe is adjusted to bring said outlet openings of the pipe and discharge ports of the nozzles into registry, the outlet openings in the pipe being normally out of registry with the discharge ports in the nozzles.

I 14. In a tube cleaner, a rotatable fluid distributing pipe, a plurality of stationary nozzles through which the pipe extends and in which it is revoluble, the pipe having outlet openings in its walls within the nozzle and the nozzles having discharge ports adapted to project cleaning fluid from the pipe Y among the tubes to be cleaned when the pipe is rotated to bring the outlet openings there of and the discharge ports of the nozzles lnto registry, the outlet openings in the pipe being normally out of registry with the dis to'be cleansed when the pipe "is adjusted to bring the outlet openings thereof into registry with the discharge ports of the nozzles,

.cleaning fluid from the pipe among the tubes means for imparting a step by step adjustment to said pipe to bring said outlet openings into andout of registration with said discharge ports, and'a fluid supply connected to the pipe.

16. In a tube cleaner, a fluiddistributingmember and a nozzle-member through which the distributing member extends, one of said members being axially-adjustable with relation to the other member, each member having discharge ports, the discharge ports of one member being brought into registry with the discharge ports'of the other memher by movement ofthe adjustable member on its axis.

17. In a tube cleaner, a fluid distributing member and a nozzle-member, one of said members being stationary and the other being adjustable on its axis to vary its posi tion with relation to the stationary member, each member having discharge ports, the discharge ports of one member being brought into registry with the discharge ports of the other member by movement of the adjustable member on its axis.

18. Int. tube cleaner, a fluid distributingmember and a nozzle-member, one of said members being stationary and the other being adjustable to vary its position with relation to the stationary member, each member having discharge ports, the discharge ports of one memberbeing brought into registry with the discharge ports of the other member by movement of the adjustable member.

In testlmony whereof I aflix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK w. mnnxna.

,Witne sses: I

RUTH L. Frn, Dan Senna. 

